Knoxville City Council tonight (Oct. 14, 2025) authorized Mayor Indya Kincannon to proceed with two important Engineering projects – a unique greenway that will connect Fort Sanders and Tyson Park, and a study of changes in traffic patterns since the Gay Street Bridge closed.
Greenway connection
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CDM Smith will design an innovative connector that links the Fort Sanders neighborhood with Tyson Park, Third Creek Greenway and on to an extensive network of greenways
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The bicycle and pedestrian shared-use path includes a tunnel under the elevated CSX railroad tracks, in the vicinity of Clinch Avenue
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A 2015 City Bicycle Facilities Plan ranked the connector as its second most important project among 120 projects
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The design services contract is for up to $980,770; the Knoxville Regional TPO 2050 Mobility Plan estimates the overall project cost, with property acquisition and construction, to be $9.3 million
Gay Street Bridge Traffic Study
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This $96,100 study will evaluate the effect of the Gay Street Bridge closure in June 2024 on traffic patterns on the Henley Bridge, Chapman Highway, James White Parkway, and other streets in the area
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The study will include evaluation of pre- and post-closure traffic data, community engagement with a web-based survey, and a cost-benefit analysis; the findings will help guide the City on the design and type of bridge if, potentially, a new bridge is built to replace the 127-year-old existing bridge
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CDM Smith was selected as the most qualified of four companies that expressed interest in conducting the study
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Due to structural defects, the existing bridge can no longer support the weight of motorized vehicles; however, a $2 million stabilization repair will allow it to reopen by the end of 2025 for limited use by bicyclists and pedestrians